Ports

Cairns is celebrated as a jumping off point for the Great Barrier Reef, a UNESCO World Heritage site whose technicolor treasures lie just a few miles offshore. There’s plenty to do on land as well, since the city is enveloped by pristine rainforest also protected by UNESCO. Ride the 1891 Kuranda Scenic Railway into the thick jungle, passing through dozens of tunnels and over dramatic bridges that span deep ravines. For exceptional views over the rainforest canopy, take the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway to Kuranda, a quaint mountain village and a perfect spot to pick up a memorable souvenir.
Fly even higher in a hot air balloon over the breathtaking landscape of the Atherton Tablelands, pastoral countryside ringed by lush mountains. For a refreshing escape, hike to the Crystal Cascades and swim in natural pools fed by several waterfalls. A mesmerizing array of exotic plant life awaits at the Cairns Botanical Gardens and, at the Tjapukai Cultural Park, the Aboriginal creation mythos is told through traditional performances and high-tech displays. With shops staying open until 11 pm, the Cairns Night Markets are the perfect spot to grab a bite to eat while absorbing the city’s dynamic atmosphere.

Tucked into the shores of Milne Bay, the bustling port of Alotau hums with commercial vessels, fishing boats and hand-carved canoes coated in colorful symbols. Tour poignant sites where the 1942 Battle of Milne Bay played out, a crucial event that resulted in Japan’s first defeat at the hands of Australian and Allied forces. At an acclaimed cultural center, witness an exuberant performance that showcases Papuan traditional attire as well as Kundu drums, hourglass-shaped instruments that are typically ornately adorned.
The Massim Museum & Cultural Center enlightens with displays of intricate wood carvings, eye-catching canoe art, local photography and many other fascinating artifacts. Head out of town for a true taste of Papuan life, pausing at charming fishing villages where traditional items such as grass skirts and woven baskets are crafted using time-honored methods. The area’s main attraction, however, lies beneath the sea, as Papua New Guinea is part of the Coral Triangle, an area blessed with nearly 600 species of coral and over 2,000 varieties of reef fish, a diver and snorkeler’s dream.

On Kitava, you might discover that modern isn’t necessarily best, as the islanders are renowned for their imperviousness to Western diseases, perhaps because of their healthy traditional diet of fish, yams, fresh fruit and coconuts. Upon arrival, you might be greeted by a rousing folkloric performance featuring villagers in colorfully dyed grass skirts and signature red headbands adorned with pretty feathers and flowers. Browse vividly hued sarongs, wood carvings and other handcrafted goods displayed beachside, testament to the finely tuned artistic sensibilities of the locals.
Ringed by a nearly unbroken length of flour-white beaches, idyllic Kitava boasts excellent opportunities for snorkeling, particularly around the nearby uninhabited islet of Uratu. Make your way to the lookout at King Cameron’s Grave, where the only white man ever to reside on the island is interred, an intriguing Tasmanian who settled among the Kitavan people in the early 20th century. As you gaze over an expanse of dense jungle and delft-blue sea, sip on the island’s delicious coconut water, a pure and revitalizing refreshment that will imbue you with Kitava’s sense of wellbeing.

You may have never heard of the remote Louisiade Islands, but after your visit you’ll always recall their spectacular beauty. A lengthy archipelago of almost 100 tropical islands, many are but specks on the map picturesquely blanketed in copious vegetation and fringed with teeming reefs. As you weave among pristine islets and coral atolls nearly unbothered by the march of progress, friendly locals paddle out in dugout canoes to greet you. Occasional evidence of WWII reveals itself, such as the exceptionally preserved wreck of a Japanese Zero fighter that lingers beneath the waves.
Once underwater, you’ll discover a vibrant wonderland of coral formations in every conceivable shape and color. Countless varieties of tropical fish dart about, contributing to the entrancing kaleidoscopic effect, and larger pelagic species such as elegant manta rays may swim past. During your sailing among the spellbinding Louisiades, you’ll come across beaches endowed with soft, sun-bleached sand, transparent water and no one else besides your traveling companions, a genuine retreat from the world beyond.

You’ll be intrigued to learn that pretty but minuscule Samarai Island was once a strategic port due to its advantageous location along the trade route between Australia and East Asia, but it was completely razed by the British in WWII to discourage Japanese occupation. Today, the cozy harbor sees more limited activity with rubber, coffee, cocoa and copra, a valuable dried coconut product, still shipped from here to other Papuan destinations. You’ll admire the locally harvested pearls, which come in a dazzling variety of shapes from perfectly round to enchantingly baroque as well as in varying hues, including a coveted golden tint.
A short walk across the island brings you to a blissful beach dotted with fishing boats, a terrific place to relax or take a refreshing dip in the water. Don your diving or snorkeling gear and look beneath the surface, where a thriving reef is home to brightly colored fish swimming among gorgeous corals. It’s easy to explore the compact island, and no matter where you wander you’ll be greeted by smiling locals eager to share their unique way of life in this frangipani-scented patch of land.

The resplendent island of Ghizo is almost entirely blanketed in a carpet of emerald tropical forest interrupted only by the occasional homestead and the small but buoyant capital of Gizo, spelled differently but pronounced the same. You’ll find the friendly locals are eager to display their meticulously crafted souvenirs, which include woven mats, baskets and bags made from natural materials. The extraordinary snorkeling and diving sites just off the coast, however, are what attract discerning travelers from around the world.
Off the western shore of Ghizo, the minuscule islet of Njari sits at the edge of a lagoon bursting with breathtaking marine life. Jump into the sea and immediately encounter a dazzling underwater realm of multi-hued coral formations and the tropical fish that rely on them for shelter. Anemone fish, trevally, lionfish, batfish, eagle rays, barracuda, moray eels and sea turtles are just some of the fascinating denizens you may encounter. With a record 270 species spotted in a single dive, you’ll likely lose count of the arresting creatures gliding through these sapphire waters.

The stunning Marovo Lagoon is the largest double-barrier enclosed lagoon environment in the world, formed by two parallel chains of barrier islands to the north and east and the three volcanic islands of Nggatokae, Vangunu and New Georgia to the south and west. Because of this geographic stroke of luck, the waters are exceptionally calm and crystalline, thus providing some of the world’s best diving and snorkeling conditions. An extremely high degree of coral diversity can be found here as well as an astonishing variety of tropical fish, whose species number in the hundreds.
Dozens of uninhabited spits of land swathed in lush vegetation offer great jumping off points for undersea exploration, where tropical fish in a rainbow of colors flit among striking cuttlefish, sea turtles, manta rays and many other pelagic species. One of the area’s major draws are its sharks, which are notoriously docile and offer the adventurous soul the swim of a lifetime. If relaxation is your cup of tea, simply weave in and out of the alluring mangroves aboard a kayak or seek tranquility amid a grove of swaying coconut palms.

Delve into absorbing WWII history at Honiara, lively capital of Guadalcanal Island and setting of brutal but decisive battles between Japan and the United States. In a series of clashes that raged on land and sea from August 7, 1942 to February 9, 1943 the tide of war inexorably turned in the Allies’ favor as Japan lost one of its most strategic airfields. Visit important battle sites including Henderson Field and Edson’s Ridge, where sobering memorials honor the many lives lost. In the Vilu War Museum, study a remarkable collection of military artifacts salvaged from the jungle, including ghostly remains of American and Japanese aircraft.
Beyond war history, Honiara is awash in natural delights, including a 60-foot waterfall nestled in the gorgeous rainforest. During your lovely hike through the verdant jungle, keep your eyes peeled for the island’s over 200 species of birds. Divers and snorkelers flock to the island’s coasts, lured by see-through waters overflowing with colorful marine life as well as the incredible wrecks of fighter planes, bombers and even battleships. No matter if you’re seeking historic or natural treasures, you’ll find plenty to appreciate in enthralling Honiara.

Rising off the southeastern coast of much larger San Cristobal Island, petite Santa Ana offers an authentic glimpse of Melanesian life. As you approach its pristine shores, you may be startled by the sudden appearance of fierce-looking warriors waving machetes and spears, who rush from the tree line in full battle regalia. As it turns out, this showy display is pure pageantry, and the warriors quickly lay down arms ready to welcome your friendly party. During an energetic folkloric performance, you’ll enjoy the sight of dancers colorfully attired in local vegetation and accompanied by drums and pan flutes.
An invigorating stroll across the island brings you to a smaller village where the revered remains of elders are kept in a so-called Spirit House. In the simple thatched building, you’ll see burial vessels carved into the shapes of canoes and fish surrounded by offering bowls, a truly stirring tableau. Take a dip in a landlocked, fresh-water lake surrounded by a lush forests or put on your snorkeling gear for exploration of the island’s outer reef, an untouched realm brimming with enchanting sea creatures.

Surrounded by a nearly unbroken ring of reefs, rarely visited Utupua has been favorably compared with better-known Bora Bora for its marvelous turquoise lagoon. The small but mountainous island is nearly sliced in half by two east-west channels, in which a tangled mangrove rich in biodiversity offers beguiling opportunities for discovery, including a possible sighting of saltwater crocodiles. In Nembao village, delight in the tidily planted flower gardens that surround raised thatched roof huts and observe locals carving canoes entirely by hand.
You’ll find the villagers are welcoming to outsiders and have attired themselves for the special occasion in traditional garb, which is mostly fashioned from plant material found on the island, including fanciful headdresses crafted from vines, flowers and knotted grasses. The underwater residents of the lagoon are just as fascinating, swimming in invitingly clear waters that provide exceptional snorkeling and diving. On Utupua, so far from the bustle of civilization, life’s simple pleasures fill the days of this gorgeous and unhurried land.

Despite being firmly located within the Melanesian region, Tikopia was colonized by Polynesians several centuries ago, giving the isolated island its own distinct character among the Solomons. Locals are proud of their heritage and maintain many of their ancestors’ customs, which you may witness during a lively welcome performance in traditional garb. A mere three miles long, Tikopia was formed by an extinct volcano, whose crater is now filled by a stunning freshwater lagoon surrounded by verdantly canopied mountains. An invigorating hike to the lagoon will take you through densely planted papaya and cassava groves, along with fish an important part of the island’s self-subsistence diet.
Despite having a small population of only around 1,200, Tikopia boasts many skilled artisans whose handmade wares you can browse along the beach. The wood carvings are particularly impressive, including models of seagoing canoes and ornately designed decorative daggers. You’ll marvel at the thatched homes, built very low to the ground as defense against cyclonic weather, causing those entering and exiting to do so on hands and knees. As you stroll about this unspoiled utopia, kindly villagers all around, you’ll be made to feel an honored guest by children and adults alike.

The dynamic city of Lautoka is the main hub for Fiji’s sugarcane industry, which in the early 20th century attracted a significant number of Indian immigrants and endowed the region with a distinct ethnic character. A terrific example is the highly ornate 1926 Sri Siva Subramaniya Temple, the Southern Hemisphere’s largest Hindu temple and a highly photogenic cacophony of vivid colors. You’ll be enchanted by the Garden of the Sleeping Giant, where actor Raymond Burr of Perry Mason fame gathered over 2,000 varieties of orchids. Inhale the fragrant air as you stroll on a canopied boardwalk past bubbling fountains and lily ponds where exotic frogs sun themselves.
The Koroyanitu National Heritage Park provides excellent hiking, with paths guiding you through a luxuriantly green rainforest on the way to a splashing waterfall. At the Sabeto Hot Springs, which locals believe have therapeutic properties, sink into a mud bath packed with revitalizing minerals or into warm waters rich in sulfur. The Sabeto Village Cultural Exhibition will immerse you into the fascinating local customs, including a welcome kava ceremony. Sip from this earthy beverage, the national drink of Fiji, while watching a rousing performance of traditional song and dance.

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